Media Release

For Immediate Release:

London, ON (April 2, 2013) Representing North America’s top region for vehicle production, the Ontario Automotive Communities Alliance (OACA) will attend the Hannover Industrial Fair in Hannover, Germany, from April 8th to 12th, 2013. The Hannover Messe is an internationally recognized industrial technologies event, featuring eleven focus themes including automation, powertrain, new materials, digital and electric technologies. With thousands of exhibitors and attendees expected at Hannover Messe, OACA will use the opportunity to promote the region and build partnerships with global automotive components manufacturers.

The North American automotive industry has rebounded significantly and Southwestern Ontario is geared for growth. GM Canada recently announced an investment of $250 million for the CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario to install flexible manufacturing equipment and support future vehicle production. With support from Industry Canada and the Province of Ontario, Toyota Motor Corp. announced its plans to invest more than $100 million to expand Lexus production in Ontario, including hybrid electric vehicles. In addition to vehicle manufacturers, many supplier plants have also been investing in the OACA region. These include Magna, Brose, Linamar, Arvin Sango and others.

“The Hannover Messe offers an opportunity to promote the region’s strengths and build on these successes with new opportunities”, says Kapil Lakhotia, 2013 Chair of the Ontario Automotive Communities Alliance. “With its key focus areas and large number of participants, Hannover allows us to market our regional assets to a wide audience. We look forward to presenting OACA investment and trade opportunities to global automotive companies.”

The Ontario Automotive Communities Alliance represents automotive intensive communities from Oshawa to Windsor though regional economic development agencies. These include City of Hamilton, Canada’s Technology Triangle, London Economic Development, Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance, Durham Region and the Windsor-Essex Economic Development, as well as Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

For more information:
Kapil Lakhotia, Chair – Ontario Automotive Communities Alliance Director,
Research and Business Development London Economic Development Corporation
P: (519) 661-5062kapil@ledc.com